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I have been in the position to play with alot of
die cutting tools. I have been able to see the finished product in the end . Hands down the wizard is
truly my choice of die cutting systems maybe that is the artist in me talking . Don't get me wrong there are others out there that can do the job, But they are not as fishnet as the Wizard . For instance in comparing cutting I have alway gotten a cleaner , sharper edge . and the embossing well there is CB that does catch a good emboss but when I place the comparison side by side there is only one choice that is the wizard .
curious christy:eek:
I love the wizard I just couldn't justify it (I didn't do diecutting/embossing before etc) when I bought the bug quite cheaply - if/when I come to replace my cuttlebug I definitely will be looking at the wizard again and comparing again.
Also I have to pick up and put away my bug because of worksspace issues so I didn't want something too heavy.
I just got the Wizard for the exact reasons. I don't have another machine so I saved up for this purchase. I like the fact that it embosses the deepest AND accepts all dies.
I love, love, love my Wizard. The deep embossing sold me on buying it. Other things I like about it are the fact that it weighs less than the Cuddlebug (I might be prejudiced on this point - after first getting the CB, I dropped it from standing height and it landed on my foot and broke the 5th metatarsal bone), it's quite easy to use, and it's a universal die system.
I love my wizard. I use every kind of die and embossing folder in it. I also use the fiskars embossing plates. You have to use the blue emboss mat (which is sold seperately) with the fiskars plates, but it is worth the additional cost. I wouldn't trade my Wizard for anything.
Terea in TN
I too love my Wizard. There are now a number of machines that can use other manufacturer's dies, but I'm more than happy with what I have. I like the fact that it is lightweight, yet it's all metal. Being hard on my tools, that means a lot.
I have yet to find a consumer die that I can't use in it and it gives me consistently great results. For me personally, it's the best choice.
I tried the wizard once at a expo and did not like it much, I much prefer the cuttlebug plus I do not own any spellbinders or nesties just cuttlebug ones. I am going to be the owner of the circles when the next slow boat arrives!
I've grown to love my Wizard...bought it just about a year ago, specifically for the Nestabilities...nothing else cuts and embosses like this machine. Of course I can cut my Spellbinders dies in my Revolution, but it's just not the same. Love the pressure it exerts, love the master mats that don't crack or warp. Just a quality work horse of a machine!
I've got a lot of love for the Wizard, too! The embossing is amazingly crisp. Now, the price wasn't great, but I got lucky and got it on the 'bay at a very reasonable price! Whoo hooo!
I hope to love mine soon--that is whenever they get the current problem cleared up so mine will arrive on my doorstep. I've already given my Cuttlebug to my mother, so I can hardly wait to receive the Wizard.
The MSRP for the new Wizard is $99.99. Yes, the new machines were recalled just recently, but the problem was found to be in the mats, not the machine itself. As soon as that is worked out, the machines will be back.
You can sometimes see them at consumer shows. Seeing a demo of the Wizard is the best way to determine if it's what you're looking for.
I don't have a home die cutting system at all, but I have tried the wizard multiple times at the scrapbook store during crops.
I ALWAYS have to ask for help. The die loading is ackward and I'm not able to pull hard enough on the crank to get the die through. I've never had to ask for help on the sizzix (with the old handle) or on the cuttlebug. They have more than one of them too, so it's not just a sticky machine. The wizard is just not user friendly for my hands.
I don't have a home die cutting system at all, but I have tried the wizard multiple times at the scrapbook store during crops.
I ALWAYS have to ask for help. The die loading is ackward and I'm not able to pull hard enough on the crank to get the die through. I've never had to ask for help on the sizzix (with the old handle) or on the cuttlebug. They have more than one of them too, so it's not just a sticky machine. The wizard is just not user friendly for my hands.
Spellbinders says that they've revamped the Wizard to make it more user-friendly by making it difficult to feed the sandwiches in at an incorrect angle, and it isn't supposed to exit the machine as violently as before.
The one you find on Overstock isn't the new version, which is a raspberry color instead of purple. HTH
Yes, Anne's right on with what she said! The new raspberry Wizard eliminates all of that. I love the difference with the raspberry one, it is a great improvement.
I'm pretty tough on my die cut machines, too - I really like to experiment. Over the years, I have broken my red Sizzix (cracked the red plastic housing underneath the handle), broken more Cuttlebug B plates than one person really should, and broken my Cuttlebug handle. Because the Wizard is all metal, it allows it to be inherently stronger, so it accepts the 'experiments' much better, IMO. Plus, 3000 PSI of pressure helps a lot!
__________________ ~ Jennifer Ellefson Created From Paper, a paper crafting blog
Ok, one quick question for all of you wizard lovers out there. I just got mine in two weeks ago. I have all of the plates, and I know what each one is. EXCEPT I got the tan embossing mat and some kind of black mat. Same size as the tan one, but it's black and has a slightly different texture. Anyone know what that mat is for?
Ok, one quick question for all of you wizard lovers out there. I just got mine in two weeks ago. I have all of the plates, and I know what each one is. EXCEPT I got the tan embossing mat and some kind of black mat. Same size as the tan one, but it's black and has a slightly different texture. Anyone know what that mat is for?
Is it the magnetic mat for placing your nesties on? I think that is black.
Ok, one quick question for all of you wizard lovers out there. I just got mine in two weeks ago. I have all of the plates, and I know what each one is. EXCEPT I got the tan embossing mat and some kind of black mat. Same size as the tan one, but it's black and has a slightly different texture. Anyone know what that mat is for?
The black mat comes in the Charm Embossing Kit. Here's what the spellbinders website says about it:
The Charm Embossing Kit allows crafters to emboss any flat charm into foil or cardstock. It also expands Wizard capabilities by allowing you to emboss and texturize with non-Spellbinders Texture Plates.
I got one of the original wizards, except mine had the longer handle, so maybe it wasn't among the first releases. I absolutely love it. It is a little harder to crank through with the cb folders, but I have never broken any of the plates and I use it a lot.
For anyone who has trouble cranking the handle - did you know they are coming out with an automatic version? No ratcheting noise late at night! No carpal tunnel or tennis elbow hurting! It is called the Excalibur.
I tried to buy one a few weeks ago and learned that the Wizard had some problems and they were doing a recall. I heard they worked out the problems and sounds like they might be available soon. I was thinking on getting that until I saw SU's announcement today. Hmmm. The Excalibur is due out the first part of 2009....that sounds like it might be awesome too! ;)
__________________ Have an awesome day!
Loretta Rathert~
so...is the red one the new one? I found one for 74.00...is that a good price? Should I wait until the beginning of the year for the new one instead? I have a cuttlebug, but really want to try the nesties and I keep hearing the Wizard is best...been away from stamping for a while so I'm kinda out of the loop!!
I have to say that I LOVE my Wizard! It did take a little warming up to (learning curve), but the results have been worth the effort. The crispness and definition with embossing folders is amazing! Especially when combined with lines from my Scor-It...
I've grown to love my Wizard...bought it just about a year ago, specifically for the Nestabilities...nothing else cuts and embosses like this machine. Of course I can cut my Spellbinders dies in my Revolution, but it's just not the same. Love the pressure it exerts, love the master mats that don't crack or warp. Just a quality work horse of a machine!
Molly
Hi Molly,
I sent along a private message to you asking about the Wizard vs. the Revolution and the results you get...I just need an idea of what you don't like about how the Revolution cuts your Spellbinders dies?
I have used one since 2004....I also own a Sizzix, Sidekick, Cuttlebug (was a gift) and a Cricut Expression....Hands down, the Wizard is the one I grab. I am a big experimenter and once you get the feel of the Wizard, you know what you can do with it. When I hear someone say they used one in a shop and had trouble with it, I feel that is just because they have not had enough experience with it. I like the all metal construction, the wider width, that is is LIGHTER and more PORTABLE than other machines and it takes all other companies die. I also prefer the detail of the Spellbinders die over the designs of the other companies. I love the fact that you can cut, emboss, and stencil with the die.....or just emboss....or just stencil....or just cut.....it is your choice!!! We haven't even touched on the road trash and household items I feed through my Wizard for textures.
I think that if you visit my blog, you will notice that just about every card I make has some wizardry in it!!!
Holly
so...is the red one the new one? I found one for 74.00...is that a good price? Should I wait until the beginning of the year for the new one instead? I have a cuttlebug, but really want to try the nesties and I keep hearing the Wizard is best...been away from stamping for a while so I'm kinda out of the loop!!
Why can't you just use the Nesties in the Cuttlebug that you already have? I use the bug with Nesties and get fabulous results. Maybe it's just me, but I would rather spend the $74 on more Nesties than use it to buy yet another machine that does the same thing. Perhaps I'm missing something? :confused:
Why can't you just use the Nesties in the Cuttlebug that you already have? I use the bug with Nesties and get fabulous results. Maybe it's just me, but I would rather spend the $74 on more Nesties than use it to buy yet another machine that does the same thing. Perhaps I'm missing something? :confused:
Actually...I just found the nesties at my HL today,,,,so I got a set and the tan mat...came home & tried them and they look like crap!! Think I'm gonna have to get the Wizard...74.00 is a tank of gas in my SUV...guess I'll stay home for a week.....but, honestly...wish I could see one in person before I fork out 74.00!!!
Actually...I just found the nesties at my HL today,,,,so I got a set and the tan mat...came home & tried them and they look like crap!! Think I'm gonna have to get the Wizard...74.00 is a tank of gas in my SUV...guess I'll stay home for a week.....but, honestly...wish I could see one in person before I fork out 74.00!!!
Hmmmm.....that's an odd one getting crappy results using the Cuttlebug. :confused:
My Bug cuts the nesties cleanly, and embosses evenly and deeply. I was fortunate to get my first set of nesties at the same time that someone here on splitcoast posted the magic sandwich recipe for getting good results. I followed her instructions to the letter and have never had a crappy finished product. Here's the link to that page in case you might be interested in checking it out: Forums at Splitcoaststampers Hopefully that will work! ;)
The lady who posted this useful recipe was katestamp716. Thanks again, katestamps716 for making my Nestie experience a good one!!!
I couldn't stand the headache of getting the right sandwich in my CB with the Nesties. I really wanted a Wizard since that's what the Nesties were created for. Lucky me, lol! I found a scrap store going out of business and bought one of their store machines for $10. It included all the mats PLUS a few sets of dies. That was less than 10 cents on the dollar! Yes, it is harder to use, but I think it's just a question of how much time I put into it, I'm afraid. I am much more pleased with the Nesties embossing though...MUCH more!
Of course, now that SU is coming out with the Big Shot and exclusive dies.....<sigh> what's a girl to do? I'm afraid I'll wind up needing another room just for diecutting, lol!
Hmmmm.....that's an odd one getting crappy results using the Cuttlebug. :confused:
My Bug cuts the nesties cleanly, and embosses evenly and deeply. I was fortunate to get my first set of nesties at the same time that someone here on splitcoast posted the magic sandwich recipe for getting good results. I followed her instructions to the letter and have never had a crappy finished product. Here's the link to that page in case you might be interested in checking it out: Forums at Splitcoaststampers Hopefully that will work! ;)
The lady who posted this useful recipe was katestamp716. Thanks again, katestamps716 for making my Nestie experience a good one!!!
JUst tried again and turned out ok this time....I added another piece of cardstock.....still think I might bite the bullet and buy the Wizard...74.00 seems like a good price.
I just got a raspberry wizard and I can't get my Bigz top note die from SU to go through it. I didn't receive a spacer plate when I got my Wizard so I ordered one. I still can't get the pads with the Top note die to feed through. Now I am wondering if I should have just stuck with my CB or bought a Big Shot instead. Would appreciate any help or advice.
__________________ Suzanne "With God, all things are possible." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I'm not familiar with the Bigz die but I know from experience with my purple Wizard that if I place the sandwich too close to the top of the white boards (I think of them as the bread and the die, cardstock etc as the filling), it is hard to go through ... If you leave a bit more "bread" around the "filling" it usually goes through quite easily.
Is there no love for the wizard ?
